Plan of Study

A radiographer is a medical professional who applies doses of ionizing radiation to
patients to create medical images of the human anatomy to aid radiologists and doctors
in diagnosing and treating illness and injury. These valuable professionals work in
hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, nursing homes, and in private practice.

Columbus State offers two programs designed to meet accreditation, certification,
and licensing needs for medical imaging.

The Radiography Associate Degree graduate is eligible for accreditation through the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. This accreditation is recognized for
licensure in all 50 states. The practice of Radiography includes the following modalities
(or specialties):

Fluoroscopy, which is live-motion radiography (constant radiation) usually used to
visualize the digestive system, monitor the administration of contrast agents to highlight
vessels and organs, or to help position devices within the body (such as pacemakers,
guide wires, stents, etc.).

CT (computed tomography), which provides cross-sectional views (slices) of the body
and can reconstruct additional images from those taken to provide more information
in either 2D or 3D.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which builds a 2D or 3D map of different tissue
types within the body.

Mammography, which uses e-ray to image breast tissues.

Vascular, Interventional Radiography, which is a medical imaging technique used to
visualize blood vessels and organs of the body with particular interest in the arteries,
veins, and chambers of the heart.

The GXMO Radiography Certificate is the only plan of study with no clinical practice.
This program is designed to prepare students for limited licensure in Ohio only, with
no professional accreditation. Students who complete this plan of study cannot practice
in any of the advanced modalities, portable, or mobile radiography, and cannot administer
contrast media.

Radiographers employ a wide range of sophisticated equipment to produce medical images
with the least amount of radiation to the patient, so that doctors and other medical
professionals may better diagnose and treat injury or disease. Radiologic technologists
use their expertise and knowledge of physics, anatomy, physiology and pathology to
assess the patient, develop optimal radiographic technique and evaluate resulting
radiographic images to determine if additional procedures are warranted. They care
for the patient even when acutely ill or traumatized. Technology classes begin Autumn Semester. Admission to the program is competitive
with completed applications received annually. Because students and health care workers
in the field may be exposed to infectious materials and communicable diseases, the
program emphasizes safety and prevention.

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the Columbus State Community College Radiography program is to provide
a quality educational program that meets the lifelong learning needs of its community.
This is achieved by preparing graduates for entry-level employment as radiography
science professionals. This mission is consistent with the college’s mission statement.

Program Mission Statement

The program holds as its primary objectives the education and training of qualified
applicants to become competent radiographers. The program endeavors to instill in
students, and subsequently graduates, the following goals:

1. Recognition of the need for lifelong learning in their chosen profession 2. The ability to behave in a compassionate, ethical, and professional manner 3. Completion of all program requirements, competence to meet entry-level expectations
of employers, and successfully completion of the ARRT national certification exam 4. The ability to apply skills in communication, critical thinking, and problem
solving in the practice of the radiography profession.

Specific Admissions Information for Program

Prospective students are required to attend a mandatory information session to learn
detailed program requirements and career opportunities. These sessions are held several
times each semester and are very helpful in answering student questions. Information
session dates are available on our website:

Information can also be found on the department webpage: or by contacting Shawndeia Thomas at 614-287-5215.

The yearly deadline for application to the Radiography program is January 31 (for
classes beginning the following Autumn). Applications are available only by attending
one of the mandatory information sessions.

Listed below are additional requirements for admission to the Radiography degree program:

High school graduate, GED, or equivalent

Required high school (or equivalent) courses in Biology (grade of “C” or better),
Chemistry (grade of “C” or better) and Physics (grade of “C” or better)

Submission of a written statement relevant to interest and intent in Radiography

Health care experience or observation hours (16)

Attend radiography mandatory information session.

NOTE: Individuals who have been convicted of, plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere
to a crime may not be eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
(ARRT) Radiography Examination according to the ARRT Code of Ethics, Section B.3 Rules
of Ethics. For additional information, contact the ARRT (www.arrt.org).

Any individual who performs radiologic procedures on humans must hold a valid Ohio
radiologic license, according to the Ohio Revised Code. Radiologic licenses are issued
for the following categories: Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation
Therapist and General X-ray Machine Operator (GXMO).

Radiographers must pass a national credentialing examination (primary pathway certification)
prior to obtaining an Ohio Department of Health License.

Individuals must have a license from the Ohio Department of Health to practice as
a Radiation Therapist or a General X-Ray Machine Operator in the State of Ohio.

Candidates pursuing primary pathway certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine
Technology, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or Sonography must have
— within the past five years* — successfully completed an educational program that
is accredited by a mechanism acceptable to the ARRT**. Beginning on January 1, 2015,
all candidates for primary pathway certification must have earned an academic degree
before becoming certified. As part of their education, candidates must also demonstrate competency in didactic
coursework and an ARRT-specified list of clinical procedures by completing competency
requirements established for the discipline in which they are seeking certification.

* Candidates graduating from an educational program beginning January 1, 2013, will
have three years to establish eligibility for ARRT certification, as opposed to the
five years that is available to those who complete their program by December 31, 2012.

GXMO Radiography Certificate

The GXMO Radiography Certificate is the only plan of study with no clinical practice.
This program is designed to prepare students for limited licensure in Ohio only, with
no professional accreditation. Students who complete this plan of study cannot practice
in any of the advanced modalities, portable, or mobile radiography, and cannot administer
contrast media.

Any individual who performs radiologic procedures on humans must hold a valid Ohio
radiologic license, according to the Ohio Revised Code. Radiologic licenses are issued
for the following categories: Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation
Therapist and General X-ray Machine Operator (GXMO).

Individuals must have a license from the Ohio Department of Health to practice as
a Radiation Therapist or a General X-Ray Machine Operator in the State of Ohio.

General X-ray machine operator (GXMO) applicants must complete a GXMO didactic educational
program accredited by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), pass the state GXMO examination
and complete at least one GXMO clinical educational program accredited by ODH before
submitting an initial license application. ODH has approved clinical educational
programs for the following clinical training modules: Chest and Abdomen, Extremities,
Skull and Sinuses, Spine and Bone Densitometry. The GXMO Program at Columbus State
Community College is accredited by the Ohio Department of Health. More detailed information
on licensure is available at; http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/rp/rlic/rlic1.aspx.

At the completion of the certificate program, the learner will be able to: